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H.R.262 / 108th Congress

Child Support Enforcement Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 8, 2003

Child Support Enforcement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (relating to the deduction for bad debts) to allow a custodial parent to claim unpaid child support payments as a deduction.Bars a delinquent debtor from filing an amended return in any subsequent year to reflect the subsequent payment of unpaid child support.Includes unpaid child support in the gross income of the delinquent debtor.Prohibits any discrepancy between the tax returns of a custodial parent and a delinquent debtor concerning whether a child support payment has been made from serving as a basis for selecting an individual's tax return for general audit.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Cox, Christopher [R-CA-48] · R–CA

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
54 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.262 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.262 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.262 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.262 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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